The question on the illegality of the death penalty has also to be considered within the context of the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (recognized by the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and by other regional conventions). Several countries have prohibited the death penalty by taking these grounds into consideration.

It is particularly noteworthy that the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunals in former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Lebanon have eliminated the death penalty as a possible punishment for exceptionally grave offences, encompassing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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ICDP is an independent body of politically influential people with international standing – supported by a diverse group of 18 governments from all world regions – working for a world free from the death penalty. It opposes the death penalty in all situations, and urges the immediate establishment of a universal moratorium on executions in all world regions with a view to total abolition.